Detection device and display device

ABSTRACT

A detection device is provided and includes electrodes configured to detect a touch and including a plurality of first conductive thin wires and a plurality of second conductive thin wires, wherein the first conductive thin wires extend in a first direction, and include a first wire and a second wire which is adjacent to the first wire, the second conductive thin wires extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and include a third wire which intersects the first wire and the second wire, the first wire has a first slit, the second wire has a second slit, the third wire has a third slit between the first wire and the second wire, and the first slit, the second slit, and the third slit are arranged in a third direction which is different from the first direction and the second direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/511,831, filed on Jul. 15, 2019, which application is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/163,981, filed on Oct. 18, 2018,which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/477,264, filed on Apr. 3, 2017, which application claims priorityfrom Japanese Application No. 2016-075499, filed on Apr. 4, 2016 andJapanese Application No. 2016-154994, filed on Aug. 5, 2016, thecontents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a detection device that is capable ofdetecting an external proximate object, and in particular, to adetection device and a display device that are capable of detecting anexternal proximate object based on a change in electrostaticcapacitance.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, attention has been attracted to a detection devicecommonly called a touchscreen panel that is capable of detecting anexternal proximate object. The touchscreen panel is mounted on orintegrated with a display device, such as a liquid crystal displaydevice, and is used as a display device with a touch detection function.The display device with a touch detection function displays, forexample, various button images on the display device so as to allowinformation input using the touchscreen panel as a substitute fortypical mechanical buttons. The display device with a touch detectionfunction having the touchscreen panel as described above does not needinput devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a keypad, and hencetends to be more widely used also in, for example, computers andportable information terminals, such as mobile phones.

Several types of the touch detection device are present, such as anoptical type, a resistive type, and a capacitive type. The capacitivetouch detection device is used in, for example, portable terminals, hasa relatively simple structure, and can achieve low power consumption.For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No.2010-197576 describes a touchscreen panel in which a transparentelectrode pattern is made invisible.

The detection device capable of detecting an external proximate objectis further required to have lower-resistance detection electrodes toachieve a smaller thickness, a larger screen size, or a higherdefinition. A light-transmitting conductive oxide, such as an indium tinoxide (ITO), is used as a material of light-transmitting electrodesserving as the detection electrodes. An electrically conductivematerial, such as a metallic material, is effectively used for reducingthe resistance of the detection electrodes. However, using theelectrically conductive material, such as a metallic material, can causea moire pattern to be seen due to interference between pixels of thedisplay device and the electrically conductive material, such as ametallic material.

Hence, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2014-041589(JP-A-2014-041589) describes a detection device in which detectionelectrodes of an electrically conductive material, such as a metallicmaterial, are used, but the moire pattern can be made less visible. Themoire pattern can be made less visible in the detection device describedin JP-A-2014-041589. However, when visible light comes in, a lightintensity pattern generated by diffraction or scattering of the lightdue to the detection electrodes forms nearly a plurality of scatteredspots of light, which can be visible.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for providing a detectiondevice and a display device capable of detecting an external proximateobject that can make the scattered spots of light less visible whileusing detection electrodes of an electrically conductive material, suchas a metallic material.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, a detection device includes a substrate, aplurality of first conductive thin wires that are provided in a planeparallel to the substrate and extend in a first direction, a pluralityof second conductive thin wires that are provided in the same layer asthat of the first conductive thin wires and extend in a second directionforming an angle with the first direction, first groups that aredisposed in first strip-like regions respectively having a first width,each of the first groups including at least two of the first conductivethin wires displaced from one another in the second direction, andsecond groups that are disposed in second strip-like regionsrespectively having a second width, each of the second groups includingat least two of the second conductive thin wires displaced from oneanother in the first direction. The first conductive thin wires are incontact with the second conductive thin wires in intersection regionsbetween the first strip-like regions and the second strip-like regions.

According to another aspect, a display device includes a detectiondevice, and a display region. The first conductive thin wires and thesecond conductive thin wire are provided in an area overlapping thedisplay region.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of adisplay device with a touch detection function according to a firstembodiment;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic principle of acapacitive touch detection method, the diagram illustrating a state inwhich a finger is neither in contact with nor in proximity to adetection device;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary equivalentcircuit in the state illustrated in FIG. 2 in which the finger isneither in contact with nor in proximity to the detection device;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic principle ofthe capacitive touch detection method, the diagram illustrating a statein which the finger is in contact with or in proximity to the detectiondevice;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the exemplary equivalentcircuit in the state illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the finger is incontact with or in proximity to the detection device;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary waveforms of a drive signaland a detection signal;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an exemplary module on which the displaydevice with a touch detection function is mounted;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the exemplary module on which the displaydevice with a touch detection function is mounted;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a schematic sectional structureof the display device with a touch detection function according to thefirst embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel arrangement of thedisplay device with a touch detection function according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a detection electrode according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a process diagram for explaining an arrangement method forthe detection electrode according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the detection electrodes according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the detection electrode according to a firstmodification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the detection electrodes according to a secondmodification of the second embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the detection electrode according to a thirdembodiment;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the detection electrode according to a fourthembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the detection electrode according to a fifthembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the detection electrodes according to a sixthembodiment; and

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an exemplary equivalentcircuit for self-capacitive touch detection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present application will be described below in detailwith reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited tothe description of the embodiments to be given below. Components to bedescribed below include those easily conceivable by those skilled in theart, and those substantially the same. Furthermore, the components to bedescribed below can be combined as appropriate. The disclosure is merelyan example, and the present invention naturally encompasses appropriatemodifications easily conceivable by those skilled in the art whilemaintaining the gist of the invention. To further clarify thedescription, widths, thicknesses, shapes, and the like of various partswill be schematically illustrated in the drawings as compared withactual aspects thereof, in some cases. However, they are merelyexamples, and interpretation of the invention is not limited thereto.The same element as that illustrated in a drawing that has already beendiscussed is denoted by the same reference numeral through thedescription and the drawings, and detailed description thereof will notbe repeated in some cases where appropriate.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of adisplay device with a touch detection function according to a firstembodiment. This display device with a touch detection function 1includes a display unit with a touch detection function 10, a controller11, a gate driver 12, a source driver 13, a drive electrode driver 14,and a touch detector (also simply called a detector) 40. The displayunit with a touch detection function 10 is a device obtained byintegrating a display device 20 generally called a liquid crystaldisplay device with a capacitive detection device 30. The display unitwith a touch detection function 10 may be a device obtained by mountingthe capacitive detection device 30 above the display device 20. Thedisplay device 20 may be, for example, an organic electroluminescent(EL) display device. The gate driver 12, the source driver 13, or thedrive electrode driver 14 may be provided in the display unit 10.

The display device 20 is a device that performs display by sequentiallyscanning one horizontal line at a time according to a scan signal Vscansupplied from the gate driver 12, as will be described later. Thecontroller 11 is a circuit (control device) that supplies a controlsignal to each of the gate driver 12, the source driver 13, the driveelectrode driver 14, and the touch detector 40 based on an externallysupplied video signal Vdisp, and thus controls these drivers and thedetector so as to operate them in synchronization with one another.

The gate driver 12 has a function to sequentially select, based on thecontrol signal supplied from the controller 11, one horizontal line ofthe display unit with a touch detection function 10 to be driven to bedisplayed.

The source driver 13 is a circuit that supplies a pixel signal Vpix toeach sub-pixel SPix (to be described later) of the display unit with atouch detection function 10 based on the control signal supplied fromthe controller 11.

The drive electrode driver 14 is a circuit that supplies drive signalsVcom to drive electrodes COML (to be described later) of the displayunit with a touch detection function 10 based on the control signalsupplied from the controller 11.

The touch detector 40 is a circuit that detects, based on the controlsignal supplied from the controller 11 and detection signals Vdetsupplied from the detection device 30 of the display unit with a touchdetection function 10, whether the detection device 30 is touched (in acontact or proximate state to be described later), and if the touchdetection device 30 is touched, obtains the coordinates of the touch ina touch detection region. The touch detector 40 includes a detectionsignal amplifier 42, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 43, a signalprocessor 44, a coordinate extractor 45, and a detection timingcontroller 46.

The detection signal amplifier 42 amplifies the detection signals Vdetsupplied from the detection device 30. The detection signal amplifier 42may include a low-pass analog filter that removes high-frequencycomponents (noise components) included in the detection signals Vdet toextract touch components, and outputs each of the touch components.

Basic Principle of Capacitive Touch Detection

The detection device 30 operates based on the basic principle ofcapacitive proximity detection, and outputs the detection signals Vdet.The following describes the basic principle of the touch detection inthe display unit with a touch detection function 10 according to thefirst embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. 2 is anexplanatory diagram for explaining the basic principle of the capacitivetouch detection method, the diagram illustrating a state in which anexternal object, such as a finger, is neither in contact with nor inproximity to the detection device. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagramillustrating an exemplary equivalent circuit in the state illustrated inFIG. 2 in which the finger is neither in contact with nor in proximityto the detection device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explainingthe basic principle of the capacitive touch detection method, thediagram illustrating a state in which the finger is in contact with orin proximity to the detection device. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagramillustrating the exemplary equivalent circuit in the state illustratedin FIG. 4 in which the finger is in contact with or in proximity to thedetection device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary waveformsof a drive signal and a detection signal. The external object only needsto be an object that generates an electrostatic capacitance (to bedescribed later), and is, for example, the finger mentioned above or astylus. The present embodiment will be described by exemplifying thefinger as the external object.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, a capacitive element C1and a capacitive element C1′ respectively include a drive electrode E1and a detection electrode E2 as a pair of electrodes that are arrangedopposite to each other with a dielectric material D interposedtherebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the capacitive element C1 iscoupled, at one end thereof, to an alternating-current signal source(drive signal source) S, and coupled, at the other end thereof, to avoltage detector (touch detector) DET. The voltage detector DET is, forexample, an integration circuit included in the detection signalamplifier 42 illustrated in FIG. 1.

When an alternating-current (AC) rectangular wave Sg having apredetermined frequency (such as substantially several kilohertz toseveral hundred kilohertz) is applied from the alternating-currentsignal source S to the drive electrode E1 (one end of the capacitiveelement C1), an output waveform (detection signal Vdet1) appears throughthe voltage detector DET coupled to the detection electrode E2 side (theother end of the capacitive element C1).

In the state where the finger is not in contact with (or in proximityto) the detection electrode (non-contact state), a current I₀corresponding to the capacitance value of the capacitive element C1flows in association with charge and discharge of the capacitive elementC1, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As illustrated in FIG. 6, thevoltage detector DET converts a variation in the current I₀corresponding to the AC rectangular wave Sg into a variation in voltage(waveform V₀ represented by a solid line).

In the state where the finger is in contact with (or in proximity to)the detection electrode (contact state), an electrostatic capacitance C2generated by the finger is in contact with or in proximity to thedetection electrode E2, as illustrated in FIG. 4. As a result, a fringecomponent of the electrostatic capacitance between the drive electrodeE1 and the detection electrode E2 is interrupted. This interruptionreduces the capacitance value of the capacitive element C1′ to a valuelower than that of the capacitive element C1. Referring to theequivalent circuit illustrated in FIG. 5, a current I₁ flows through thecapacitive element C1′. The voltage detector DET converts a variation inthe current I₁ corresponding to the AC rectangular wave Sg into avariation in voltage (waveform V₁ represented by a dotted line), asillustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, the waveform V₁ has a smalleramplitude than that of the waveform V₀ mentioned above. As a result, anabsolute value |ΔV| of a voltage difference between the waveforms V₀ andV₁ changes according to an influence of the object, such as the finger,approaching from the outside. The voltage detector DET desirably detectsthe absolute value |ΔV| of the voltage difference between the waveformsV₀ and V₁ with high accuracy. For this purpose, a period Reset is morepreferably provided during which the charge/discharge of the capacitoris reset by switching in the circuit in accordance with the frequency ofthe AC rectangular wave Sg.

The detection device 30 illustrated in FIG. 1 performs the touchdetection by sequentially scanning one detection block at a timeaccording to the drive signals Vcom supplied from the drive electrodedriver 14.

The detection device 30 outputs the detection signals Vdet1 on adetection-block-by-detection-block basis from a plurality of detectionelectrodes TDL (to be described later) through the voltage detector DETillustrated in FIG. 3 or 5. The detection signals Vdet1 thus output aresupplied to the A/D converter 43 of the touch detector 40.

The A/D converter 43 is a circuit that samples analog signals outputfrom the detection signal amplifier 42 at intervals synchronized withthe drive signals Vcom, and converts the sampled analog signals intodigital signals.

The signal processor 44 includes a digital filter that reduces frequencycomponents (noise components) included in the output signals of the A/Dconverter 43 other than those of the frequency at which the drivesignals Vcom are sampled. The signal processor 44 is a logic circuitthat detects, based on the output signals of the A/D converter 43,whether the detection device 30 is touched. The signal processor 44performs processing to extract only a difference voltage caused by thefinger. This difference voltage caused by the finger corresponds to theabsolute value |ΔV| of the difference between the waveforms V₀ and V₁described above. The signal processor 44 may perform a calculation ofaveraging the absolute values |ΔV| for each detection block to obtainthe average value of the absolute values |ΔV|. By doing this, the signalprocessor 44 can reduce the influence of the noise. The signal processor44 compares the detected difference voltage caused by the finger with apredetermined threshold voltage, and determines that the fingerapproaching from the outside is in the contact state if the differencevoltage is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage, or determinesthat the finger is in the non-contact state if the difference voltage islower than the threshold voltage. In this manner, the touch detector 40can perform the touch detection.

The coordinate extractor 45 is a logic circuit that obtains touchscreenpanel coordinates of a touch when the touch is detected by the signalprocessor 44. The detection timing controller 46 controls the A/Dconverter 43, the signal processor 44, and the coordinate extractor 45so as to operate them in synchronization with one another. Thecoordinate extractor 45 outputs the touchscreen panel coordinates as asignal output Vout.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are plan views illustrating an exemplary module on whichthe display device with the touch detection function according to thefirst embodiment is mounted. FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating anexample of the drive electrodes. FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating anexample of the detection electrodes.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the display device with a touch detectionfunction 1 includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate 21 and aflexible printed circuit board 72. A chip on glass (COG) 19 is mountedon the TFT substrate 21, on which areas corresponding to a displayregion 10 a of the display device 20 (refer to FIG. 1) and a frameregion 10 b surrounding the display region 10 a are formed. The COG 19is a chip of an integrated-circuit (IC) driver mounted on the TFTsubstrate 21, and incorporates circuits necessary for displayoperations, such as the controller 11, the gate driver 12, and thesource driver 13 illustrated in FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, thegate driver 12, the source driver 13, or the drive electrode driver 14may be formed on the TFT substrate 21 that is a glass substrate. The COG19 and the drive electrode driver 14 are provided in the frame region 10b. The COG 19 may incorporate the drive electrode driver 14. In thiscase, the frame region 10 b can be narrowed. The flexible printedcircuit board 72 is coupled to the COG 19, and the video signal Vdispand a power supply voltage are externally supplied to the COG 19 throughthe flexible printed circuit board 72.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, an area of the display unit with a touchdetection function 10 overlapping the display region 10 a is providedwith the drive electrodes COML. The drive electrodes COML respectivelyextend in a direction along one side of the display region 10 a, and arearranged with spaces provided therebetween in a direction along anotherside intersecting one side of the display region 10 a. Each of the driveelectrodes COML is coupled to the drive electrode driver 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the display device with a touch detectionfunction 1 further includes a substrate 31 and a flexible printedcircuit board 71. The touch detector 40 described above is mounted onthe flexible printed circuit board 71. The touch detector 40 may bemounted on another board coupled to the flexible printed circuit board71, instead of being mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 71.The substrate 31 is, for example, a light-transmitting glass substrate,and faces the TFT substrate 21 in a direction orthogonal to a surface ofthe TFT substrate 21 illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 8, anarea of the display unit with a touch detection function 10 overlappingthe display region 10 a is provided with the detection electrodes TDL.The detection electrodes TDL respectively extend in a directionintersecting the extending direction of the drive electrodes COMLillustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a space SP is presentbetween each adjacent pair of the detection electrodes TDL. Thedetection electrodes TDL are arranged with the spaces providedtherebetween in the extending direction of the drive electrodes COML.That is to say, the drive electrodes COML and the detection electrodesTDL are arranged so as to three-dimensionally intersect each other, andgenerate electrostatic capacitances at parts overlapping each other.

When performing the display operation, the display device with a touchdetection function 1 sequentially scans one horizontal line at a time,as will be described later. In other words, the display device with atouch detection function 1 performs the display scanning parallel to adirection along one side of the display unit with a touch detectionfunction 10 (refer to FIG. 8). When performing the touch detectionoperation, the display device with a touch detection function 1sequentially scans one detection line at a time by sequentially applyingthe drive signals Vcom from the drive electrode driver 14 to the driveelectrodes COML. In other words, the display unit with a touch detectionfunction 10 performs the scanning in a direction SCAN parallel to adirection along another side intersecting one side of the display unitwith a touch detection function 10 (refer to FIG. 7).

As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the detection electrodes TDL accordingto the present embodiment includes a plurality of first conductive thinwires 33U and a plurality of second conductive thin wires 33V. The firstconductive thin wires 33U and the second conductive thin wires 33V areinclined in directions opposite to each other with respect to adirection parallel to one side of the display region 10 a.

The first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V have each a smallwidth, and are arranged in the display region 10 a with spaces providedtherebetween in a direction intersecting the extending directions of thefirst and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V (in the short sidedirection of the display region 10 a). Both ends in the extendingdirection of each of the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and33V are coupled to connection wiring lines 34 a and 34 b disposed in theframe region 10 b. As a result, the first and second conductive thinwires 33U and 33V are electrically coupled to one another, and serve aseach of the detection electrodes TDL. A wiring line 37 is coupled toeach of the connection wiring lines 34 a, and thus, the detectionelectrodes TDL are coupled to the flexible printed circuit board 71through the wiring line 37. The detection electrodes TDL may bepartially disposed outside the display region 10 a (in the frame region10 b). The connection wiring lines 34 a and 34 b may be disposed in thedisplay region 10 a, instead of being disposed in the frame region 10 b.The connection wiring lines 34 a and 34 b may be coupled to the touchdetector 40 through the wiring line 37 to serve as wiring lines forcoupling the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V to thetouch detector 40.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a schematic sectional structureof the display device with a touch detection function. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the display unit with a touch detection function 10 includes apixel substrate 2, a counter substrate 3 that is disposed so as to facea surface of the pixel substrate 2 in a direction orthogonal thereto,and a liquid crystal layer 6 that is provided between the pixelsubstrate 2 and the counter substrate 3.

The pixel substrate 2 includes the TFT substrate 21 serving as a circuitsubstrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes 22 that are arranged in amatrix above the TFT substrate 21, the drive electrodes COML that areformed between the TFT substrate 21 and the pixel electrodes 22, and aninsulating layer 24 that insulates the pixel electrodes 22 from thedrive electrodes COML. A polarizing plate 65 is provided below the TFTsubstrate 21 with an adhesive layer 66 interposed therebetween.

The counter substrate 3 includes the substrate 31 and a color filter 32formed on one surface of the substrate 31. The detection electrodes TDLof the detection device 30 are formed on the other surface of thesubstrate 31. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the detection electrodes TDL areprovided above the substrate 31. In addition, a protective layer 38 forprotecting the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V of thedetection electrodes TDL is provided above the detection electrodes TDL.A light-transmitting resin, such as an acrylic resin, can be used forthe protective layer 38. A polarizing plate 35 is provided above theprotective layer 38 with an adhesive layer 39 interposed therebetween.

The TFT substrate 21 and the substrate 31 are arranged so as to faceeach other with a predetermined space provided by a spacer 61. Theliquid crystal layer 6 is provided in a space surrounded by the TFTsubstrate 21, the substrate 31, and the spacer 61. The liquid crystallayer 6 modulates light passing therethrough according to the state ofan electric field, and includes, for example, liquid crystals of ahorizontal electric field mode, such as an in-plane switching (IPS) modeand a fringe field switching (FFS) mode, to be used in a display panel.Orientation films may be provided between the liquid crystal layer 6 andthe pixel substrate 2 and between the liquid crystal layer 6 and thecounter substrate 3 illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a pixel arrangement of thedisplay device with a touch detection function according to the firstembodiment. The TFT substrate 21 illustrated in FIG. 9 is provided withthin-film transistor elements (hereinafter, called TFT elements) Tr ofthe respective sub-pixels SPix and wiring lines, such as pixel signallines SGL that supply the pixel signals Vpix to the respective pixelelectrodes 22 and scan signal lines GCL that drive the respective TFTelements Tr, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The pixel signal lines SGL andthe scan signal lines GCL extend in a plane parallel to the surface ofthe TFT substrate 21. A direction Dx represents a direction orthogonalto the arrangement direction of the sub-pixels SPix (extending directionof the scan signal lines GCL), and a direction Dy represents thearrangement direction of the sub-pixels SPix (extending direction of thepixel signal lines SGL), as illustrated in FIG. 10. In the presentembodiment, the direction Dy corresponds to a direction in which colorregions providing the highest human visibility (to be described later)are arranged, and the direction Dx corresponds to a direction orthogonalto the direction Dy in a plane parallel to a surface of the countersubstrate 3.

The display device 20 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes the sub-pixelsSPix arranged in a matrix. Each of the sub-pixels SPix includescorresponding one of the TFT elements Tr and a liquid crystal elementLC. The TFT element Tr is constituted by a thin-film transistor, and inthis example, constituted by an n-channel metal oxide semiconductor(MOS) TFT. In the TFT element Tr, one of the source and the drain iscoupled to one of the pixel signal lines SGL, the gate is coupled to oneof the scan signal lines GCL, and the other of the source and the drainis coupled to one end of the liquid crystal element LC. The liquidcrystal element LC is coupled at one end thereof to the source or thedrain of the TFT element Tr, and at the other end thereof to one of thedrive electrodes COML.

The sub-pixel SPix is mutually coupled through the scan signal line GCLwith other sub-pixels SPix belonging to the same row of the displaydevice 20. The scan signal line GCL is coupled to the gate driver 12(refer to FIG. 1), and is supplied with the scan signal Vscan from thegate driver 12. The sub-pixel SPix is mutually coupled through the pixelsignal line SGL with other sub-pixels SPix belonging to the same columnof the display device 20. The pixel signal line SGL is coupled to thesource driver 13 (refer to FIG. 1), and is supplied with the pixelsignal Vpix from the source driver 13. The sub-pixel SPix is furthermutually coupled through the drive electrode COML with other sub-pixelsSPix belonging to the same row. The drive electrode COML is coupled tothe drive electrode driver 14 (refer to FIG. 1), and is supplied withone of the drive signals Vcom from the drive electrode driver 14. Thismeans that the sub-pixels SPix belonging to the same one of the rowsshare one of the drive electrodes COML in this example. The driveelectrodes COML according to the present embodiment extend parallel tothe direction of extension of the scan signal lines GCL. The directionof extension of the drive electrodes COML according to the presentembodiment is not limited to this direction. The direction of extensionof the drive electrodes COML may be, for example, a direction parallelto the direction of extension of the pixel signal lines SGL.

The gate driver 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 drives the scan signal linesGCL so as to sequentially scan them. The scan signal Vscan (refer toFIG. 1) is applied to the gates of the TFT elements Tr of the sub-pixelsSPix through the scan signal line GCL, and thus, one horizontal line ofthe sub-pixels SPix is sequentially selected as a target of displaydriving. In the display device with a touch detection function 1, thesource driver 13 supplies the pixel signals Vpix to the sub-pixels SPixbelonging to one horizontal line so as to display one horizontal line ata time. While this display operation is performed, the drive electrodedriver 14 applies the drive signal Vcom to the drive electrode COMLcorresponding to the horizontal line.

A color region 32R, a color region 32G, and a color region 32B of thecolor filter colored in three colors of, for example, red (R), green(G), and blue (B) are cyclically arranged in the color filter 32illustrated in FIG. 9. The color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B of the threecolors of R, G, and B are associated, as one set, with the sub-pixelsSPix described above illustrated in FIG. 10. The color regions 32R, 32G,and 32B constitute a pixel Pix, as one set. As illustrated in FIG. 9,the color filter 32 faces the liquid crystal layer 6 in a directionorthogonal to the TFT substrate 21. The color filter 32 may have acombination of other colors as long as being colored in different colorsfrom each other. The color filter 32 is not limited to having acombination of three colors, but may have a combination of four or morecolors.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of one of the detection electrodes according tothe first embodiment. The view of one of the detection electrodes TDLillustrated in FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the detectionelectrodes TDL illustrated in FIG. 8. Although the detection electrodeTDL illustrated in FIG. 8 appears to have a uniform pattern ofparallelograms, the detection electrode TDL actually has a shapeillustrated in FIG. 11.

The first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V are formed of oneor more layers of metals selected from aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), and tungsten (W).Alternatively, the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33Vare formed of an alloy of metallic materials including one or more typesselected from aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), molybdenum (Mo),chromium (Cr), and tungsten (W). The first and second conductive thinwires 33U and 33V may be a layered product obtained by stacking aplurality of conductive layers of metallic materials including one ormore types selected from aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag),molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), and tungsten (W), or of alloyscontaining one or more types of these materials. The first and secondconductive thin wires 33U and 33V may be laminated with a conductivelayer of a light-transmitting conductive oxide, such as an indium tinoxide (ITO), in addition to the conductive layers of metallic materialsor alloys thereof described above. The first and second conductive thinwires 33U and 33V may be laminated with a blackened film, a blackorganic film, or a black conductive organic film obtained by combiningthe metallic materials and the conductive layers described above.

The metallic materials described above are lower in resistance than thelight-transmitting conductive oxide, such as an ITO, as a material fortransparent electrodes. The metallic materials described above arehigher in light-shielding property than the light-transmittingconductive oxide, and hence may reduce transmittance or make the patternof the detection electrode TDL visible. In the present embodiment, onedetection electrode TDL has a plurality of first conductive thin wires33U and a plurality of second conductive thin wires 33V respectivelyhaving a small width, and the first and second conductive thin wires 33Uand 33V are arranged with spaces provided therebetween, each of thespaces being wider than the wire width. Thus, a lower resistance andinvisibility of the conductive thin wires can be achieved. As a result,the resistance of the detection electrodes TDL is reduced, and thedisplay device with a touch detection function 1 can have a smallerthickness, a larger screen, and a higher resolution.

The width of each of the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and33V is preferably 1 μm to 10 μm, and more preferably in the range of 1μm to 5 μm. This is because setting the width of each of the first andsecond conductive thin wires 33U and 33V to a value equal to or smallerthan 10 μm reduces the area covering openings that serve as regions ofthe display region 10 a through which transmission of light is notreduced by a black matrix or by the scan signal lines GCL and the pixelsignal lines SGL (to be described later), and thus reduces thepossibility of reduction in aperture ratio. This is also because settingthe width of each of the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and33V to a value equal to or larger than 1 μm stabilizes the shapethereof, and thus reduces the possibility of wire disconnection.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 10, and 11, the detection electrode TDL is formedby arranging the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V atpredetermined intervals, and extends as a whole in a direction parallelto the extending direction of the color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B of thecolor filter 32. In other words, the detection electrode TDL extends ina direction parallel to the direction Dy in which the pixel signal linesSGL illustrated in FIG. 10 extend. To prevent the first and secondconductive thin wires 33U and 33V from shielding the light through aparticular color region of the color filter 32, the first and secondconductive thin wires 33U and 33V have a mesh shape in which thin wirepieces inclining in mutually opposite directions are connected togetherin an intersecting manner. The first and second conductive thin wires33U and 33V are inclined in directions Du and Dv opposite to each otherso as to respectively form an angle θ with the direction parallel to theextending direction of the color regions 32R, 32G, and 32B (directionDy). Electrical coupling parts 33 x are formed at places where the firstand second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V are electrically coupledtogether. The angle θ is, for example, 5 to 75 degrees, preferably 25 to40 degrees, and more preferably 50 to 65 degrees.

In this manner, the detection electrode TDL includes one or more of thefirst conductive thin wires 33U extending in the direction Du and one ormore of the second conductive thin wires 33V intersecting the firstconductive thin wires 33U and extending in the direction Dv. In thestate where the first conductive thin wires 33U intersect the secondconductive thin wires 33V, one mesh of the detection electrode TDL has aparallelogram shape.

In the present embodiment, assuming one of the electrical coupling parts33 x closest to the connection wiring line 34 a as a boundary, an endregion 10 c of the detection electrode TDL is defined as a region thatlies closer to the connection wiring line 34 a than the electricalcoupling part 33 x closest to the connection wiring line 34 a and thatranges from the electrical coupling part 33 x closest to the connectionwiring line 34 a to the connection wiring line 34 a (refer to FIG. 11).In the same manner, a main detection region 10 d of the detectionelectrode TDL is defined as a region that lies farther from theconnection wiring line 34 a than the electrical coupling part 33 xclosest to the connection wiring line 34 a.

The pattern of the detection electrode TDL near the connection wiringline 34 a is line-symmetric or point-symmetric to the pattern of thedetection electrode near the connection wiring line 34 b, as illustratedin FIG. 8. As a result, assuming one of the electrical coupling parts 33x closest to the connection wiring line 34 b as a boundary, an endregion of the detection electrode TDL is defined as a region that liescloser to the connection wiring line 34 b than the electrical couplingpart 33 x closest to the connection wiring line 34 b and ranges to theconnection wiring line 34 b. In the same manner, the main detectionregion of the detection electrode TDL is defined as a region that liesfarther from the connection wiring line 34 b than the electricalcoupling part 33 x closest to the connection wiring line 34 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, in the end region 10 c of the detectionelectrode TDL, conductive thin wires 33 a are disposed in positions towhich the first conductive thin wires 33U extend, and thus, theconnection wiring line 34 a is electrically coupled to the firstconductive thin wires 33U in the main detection region 10 d through theconductive thin wires 33 a.

Each of the drive electrodes COML illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9 serves asa common electrode that applies a common potential to a plurality ofpixel electrodes 22 of the display device 20, and also serves as a driveelectrode when the touch detection using a mutual-capacitive method isperformed on the detection device 30. The detection device 30 isconstituted by the drive electrodes COML provided in the pixel substrate2 and the detection electrodes TDL provided in the counter substrate 3.

The drive electrodes COML are divided into a plurality of electrodepatterns extending in a direction parallel to the other side of thedisplay region 10 a illustrated in FIG. 7. The detection electrodes TDLare constituted by electrode patterns including a plurality of metallicwiring lines extending in a direction intersecting the extendingdirection of the electrode patterns of the drive electrodes COML. Thedetection electrodes TDL face the drive electrodes COML in the directionorthogonal to the surface of the TFT substrate 21 (refer to FIG. 9).Each of the electrode patterns of the detection electrodes TDL iscoupled to an input to the detection signal amplifier 42 of the touchdetector 40 (refer to FIG. 1). The electrode patterns of the driveelectrodes COML and the detection electrodes TDL intersecting each othergenerate electrostatic capacitances at intersecting parts therebetween.

The drive electrodes COML are made using, for example, alight-transmitting electrically conductive material, such as an ITO. Thedetection electrodes TDL and the drive electrodes COML (drive electrodeblocks) are not limited to having a plurality of divided stripe shapes.For example, the detection electrodes TDL and the drive electrodes COMLmay have comb-tooth shapes. Otherwise, the detection electrodes TDL andthe drive electrodes COML only need to be divided into a plurality ofportions. The shape of slits for dividing the drive electrodes COML maybe linear or curved.

When the detection device 30 performs the touch detection operationusing the mutual-capacitive method, the above-described configurationcauses the drive electrode driver 14 to drive the drive electrodes so asto sequentially scan the drive electrode blocks in a time-divisionmanner, and thereby, each detection block of the drive electrodes COMLis sequentially selected. The detection signal Vdet1 is output from thedetection electrode TDL, and thereby, the touch detection of eachdetection block is performed. That is to say, each of the driveelectrode blocks corresponds to the drive electrode E1, and thedetection electrode TDL corresponds to the detection electrode E2, inthe basic principle of the mutual-capacitive touch detection describedabove. The detection device 30 detects the touch input according to thisbasic principle. The detection electrodes TDL and the drive electrodesCOML three-dimensionally intersecting each other constitute a capacitivetouch sensor in a matrix form. Consequently, by scanning the entiretouch detection surface of the detection device 30, the detection device30 can detect a position where a conductor externally comes in contacttherewith or close thereto.

As an exemplary method of operation of the display device with a touchdetection function 1, the display device with a touch detection function1 performs the touch detection operation (in a detection period) and thedisplay operation (in a display operation period) in a time-divisionmanner. The division between the touch detection operation and thedisplay operation may be made in any manner.

In the present embodiment, since the drive electrode COML serves also asthe common electrode of the display device 20, the controller 11supplies the drive signal Vcom serving as a common electrode potentialfor display to the drive electrode COML selected through the driveelectrode driver 14 during the display operation period.

In the case performing the detection operation during the detectionperiod using only the detection electrodes TDL without using the driveelectrodes COML, if the touch detection is performed based on aself-capacitive touch detection principle described later, for example,the drive electrode driver 14 may supply the drive signal Vcom for touchdetection to the detection electrodes TDL.

As described above, the extending direction of each of the first andsecond conductive thin wires 33U and 33V of the detection electrode TDLforms the angle θ with the extending direction of the color regions 32R,32G, and 32B of the color filter 32 (direction Dy). As a result, thefirst and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V of the detectionelectrode TDL shield the light through the color regions 32R, 32G, and32B of the color filter 32 in a successive manner, and hence can reducethe drop in transmittance through a particular color region of the colorfilter 32. As a result, the detection device according to the firstembodiment makes a brightness pattern difficult to have a certainperiodicity, and thus can make a moire pattern less visible.

According to the technique described in JP-A-2014-041589, when visiblelight comes in, a light intensity pattern generated by diffraction orscattering of the light due to a plurality of detection electrodes formsnearly a plurality of scattered spots of light. A viewer can change thepositions or number of the scattered spots of light of the lightintensity pattern by tilting the detection device, but can hardly reducethe visibility of the spots of light of the light intensity pattern.According to the technique described in JP-A-2014-041589, the anglebetween adjacent thin wire pieces a and b is randomly formed. As aresult, it is considered that the tilting of the detection device by theviewer is likely to generate new diffraction or scattering, and thus islikely to generate the scattered spots of light of the light intensitypattern.

In contrast, the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33Vaccording to the first embodiment form the constant angle θ with thedirection Dy. As a result, when visible light comes to the first andsecond conductive thin wires 33U and 33V, the light intensity patterndiffracted or scattered by the first and second conductive thin wires33U and 33V is difficult to diffuse. In addition, the light intensitypattern diffracted or scattered by the first and second conductive thinwires 33U and 33V is likely to be concentrated in four directions, andthus, certain directivity is likely to be obtained. Thus, by tilting thedetection device 30 according to the first embodiment, the viewer caneasily avoid an angle likely to generate the light intensity pattern.

Consequently, the first conductive thin wires 33U according to the firstembodiment are arranged in first strip-like regions UA respectivelyhaving a predetermined width WU, and a plurality of first groups GU areformed, each including at least two of the first conductive thin wires33U displaced from one another in the direction Dv (refer to FIG. 11).In the first embodiment, the predetermined width WU and thepredetermined width WV are also denoted as the first width WU and thesecond width WV.

In the same manner, the second conductive thin wires 33V according tothe first embodiment are arranged in second strip-like regions VA eachhaving a predetermined width WV, and a plurality of second groups GV areformed, each including at least two of the second conductive thin wires33V displaced from one another in the direction Du (refer to FIG. 11).

FIG. 12 is a process diagram for explaining an arrangement method forthe detection electrode according to the first embodiment. A pluralityof first reference lines 33SU illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 areimaginary lines that are arranged at even intervals in the direction Dvand extend in the direction Du. Each of the first reference lines 33SUis a straight line that bisects each of the first strip-like regions UAin the width direction thereof (in the direction Dv). In the samemanner, a plurality of second reference lines 33SV are imaginary linesthat are arranged at even intervals in the direction Du and extend inthe direction Dv. Each of the second reference lines 33SV is a straightline that bisects each of the second strip-like regions VA in the widthdirection thereof (in the direction Du). Assuming the first referenceline 33SU as the center of the predetermined width WU, the predeterminedwidth WU is a width within which each of the first conductive thin wires33U may be displaced from the first reference line 33SU. When a firstreference length SW1 denotes the length between two of the firstreference lines 33SU adjacent in the direction Dv, the predeterminedwidth WU is one twentieth to one fifth of the first reference lengthSW1. For example, the predetermined width WU is 10 μm to 30 μm. Assumingthe second reference line 33SV as the center of the predetermined widthWV, the predetermined width WV is a width within which each of thesecond conductive thin wires 33V may be displaced from the secondreference line 33SV. When a second reference length SW2 denotes thelength between two of the second reference lines 33SV adjacent in thedirection Du, the predetermined width WV is one twentieth to one fifthof the second reference length SW2. For example, the predetermined widthWV is 10 μm to 30 μm.

That is to say, the length of each of the first conductive thin wires33U is equal to or larger than the difference between twice the lengthbetween the adjacent second reference lines 33SV (second referencelength SW2) described above and the predetermined width WV of the secondstrip-like regions VA. Also, the length of each of the first conductivethin wires 33U is equal to or smaller than the sum of twice the lengthbetween the adjacent second reference lines 33SV (second referencelength SW2) and the predetermined width WV of the second strip-likeregions VA. The length of each of the second conductive thin wires 33Vis equal to or larger than the difference between twice the lengthbetween the adjacent first reference lines 33SU (first reference lengthSW1) described above and the predetermined width WU of the firststrip-like regions UA. Also, the length of each of the second conductivethin wires 33V is equal to or smaller than the sum of twice the lengthbetween the adjacent first reference lines 33SU (first reference lengthSW1) and the predetermined width WU of the first strip-like regions UA.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a first end U11 of each of the firstconductive thin wires 33U is placed at a reference point. An angle αdenotes the angle formed between the first conductive thin wire 33U andthe direction Dx at the reference point. A second end U12 of the firstconductive thin wire 33U is placed in a position apart in the directionDu from the first end U11 of the first conductive thin wire 33U by adistance of (twice the second reference length SW2)±(a length β). Thelength β is a randomly selected length within half the predeterminedwidth WV. Once the position of the second end U12 of the firstconductive thin wire 33U is determined, the first end U11 of the nextfirst conductive thin wire 33U is placed in a position displaced by arandomly selected length γ within half the predetermined width WU in adirection forming an angle of (90°−α) with respect to the direction Dxfrom the position of the second end U12 of the first conductive thinwire 33U. The arranging method for the detection electrode TDL describedabove is repeated to arrange the first conductive thin wires 33U in eachof the first strip-like regions UA extending along the direction Duwhile allowing the first conductive thin wires 33U to be displaced fromone another in the direction Dv. The second conductive thin wires 33Vcan also be arranged in the same manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the electrical coupling parts 33 x where thefirst conductive thin wires 33U are in contact with the secondconductive thin wires 33V are produced in intersection regions AX wherethe first strip-like regions UA intersect the second strip-like regionsVA. Each of the intersection regions AX including two of the firstconductive thin wires 33U displaced from each other in the direction Dvincludes two of the electrical coupling parts 33 x where two of thefirst conductive thin wires 33U are in contact with one of the secondconductive thin wires 33V. Each of the intersection regions AX includingtwo of the second conductive thin wires 33V displaced from each other inthe direction Du includes two of the electrical coupling parts 33 xwhere two of the second conductive thin wires 33V are in contact withone of the first conductive thin wires 33U. This arrangement leads to areduction in places where the first conductive thin wires 33U crisscrossthe second conductive thin wires 33V.

That is to say, four electrical coupling parts 33 x are formed in eachof the first conductive thin wires 33U. In other words, four secondconductive thin wires 33V are in contact with each of the firstconductive thin wires 33U. Each of the first conductive thin wires 33Uis in contact, at one end, the other end, and two intermediate locationsthereof, with the second conductive thin wires 33V.

Four electrical coupling parts 33 x are produced in each of the secondconductive thin wires 33V. In other words, four first conductive thinwires 33U are in contact with each of the second conductive thin wires33V. Each of the second conductive thin wires 33V is in contact, at oneend, the other end, and two intermediate locations thereof, with thefirst conductive thin wires 33U.

Second Embodiment

The following describes a detection device according to a secondembodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the detection electrodes accordingto the second embodiment. The same component as that described in thefirst embodiment above is denoted by the same reference numeral, and thedescription thereof will not be repeated.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the space SP is present between each adjacentpair of the detection electrodes TDL. To restrain the space SP frombeing viewed by the viewer, a dummy electrode TDD is disposed, asillustrated in FIG. 13.

In the dummy electrode TDD, the first conductive thin wires 33U arearranged in the first strip-like regions UA respectively having thepredetermined width WU, and the first groups GU are formed, eachincluding at least two of the first conductive thin wires 33U displacedfrom one another in the direction Dv.

In the same manner, in the dummy electrode TDD, the second conductivethin wires 33V are arranged in the second strip-like regions VArespectively having the predetermined width WV, and the second groups GVare formed, each including at least two of the second conductive thinwires 33V displaced from one another in the direction Du.

In the dummy electrode TDD, a slit SL is provided at each of the firstand second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V. The slit SL is a part inwhich the material constituting the first and second conductive thinwires 33U and 33V is not formed or is removed by, for example, etching,and only an insulating material is present. The slit SL is providedbetween adjacent electrical coupling parts 33 x. The slit SL can be madehardly visible by setting the distance from the electrical coupling part33 x to the slit SL constant.

The dummy electrode TDD includes components extending in the samedirections as those of the first and second conductive thin wires 33Uand 33V constituting the detection electrode TDL. As a result, the spaceSP can be made invisible, and the detection electrode TDL can be madeless visible.

First Modification of Second Embodiment

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the detection electrode according to a firstmodification of the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 14, in thedummy electrode TDD, the first conductive thin wires 33U on both sidesof the slit SL are displaced from each other in the direction Dv. In thesame manner, in the dummy electrode TDD, the second conductive thinwires 33V on both sides of the slit SL are displaced from each other inthe direction Du.

Second Modification of Second Embodiment

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the detection electrodes according to a secondmodification of the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 15, in thesecond modification of the second embodiment, a plurality of slits SLare arranged on a straight line LY1, a straight line LY2, or a straightline LY3 parallel to the direction Dy. The straight line LY1 is animaginary straight line located at one end in the direction Dx of one ofthe detection electrodes TDL. The straight line LY2 is an imaginarystraight line located at the other end in the direction Dx of one of thedetection electrodes TDL. The straight line LY3 is disposed between thestraight lines LY1 and LY2. For example, a width WTDL from the straightline LY1 to the straight line LY2 is constant. As a result, the twodetection electrodes TDL adjacent to each other across the dummyelectrode TDD have substantially the same parasitic capacitance. Aplurality of such straight lines LY3 may be present between the straightlines LY1 and LY2. In other words, the region between the straight linesLY1 and LY2 may include a plurality of columns respectively constitutedby a plurality of slits SL arranged on the same straight line.

Third Embodiment

The following describes a detection device according to a thirdembodiment. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the detection electrode accordingto the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 16, in the thirdembodiment, the first conductive thin wires 33U include first main thinwires 331U and first auxiliary thin wires 332U, and the secondconductive thin wires 33V include second main thin wires 331V and secondauxiliary thin wires 332V. The same component as that described in thefirst embodiment above is denoted by the same reference numeral, and thedescription thereof will not be repeated.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the first main thin wires 331U are arrangedin first main strip-like regions UAa respectively having thepredetermined width WU. A plurality of first main groups GU1 are formed,each including at least two of the first main thin wires 331U displacedfrom one another in the direction Dv. The first auxiliary thin wires332U are arranged in first auxiliary strip-like regions UAb respectivelyhaving the predetermined width WU. A plurality of first auxiliary groupsGU2 are formed, each including at least two of the first auxiliary thinwires 332U displaced from one another in the direction Dv. The firstmain strip-like regions UAa and the first auxiliary strip-like regionsUAb are alternately arranged at even intervals in the direction Dv. Thelength between a first main strip-like region UAa and a first auxiliarystrip-like region UAb adjacent to each other corresponds to the firstreference length SW1.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the second main thin wires 331V are arrangedin second main strip-like regions VAa each having the predeterminedwidth WV. A plurality of second main groups GV1 are formed, eachincluding at least two of the second main thin wires 331V displaced fromone another in the direction Du. The second auxiliary thin wires 332Vare arranged in second auxiliary strip-like regions VAb each having thepredetermined width WV. A plurality of second auxiliary groups GV2 areformed, each including at least two of the second auxiliary thin wires332V displaced from one another in the direction Du. The second mainstrip-like regions VAa and the second auxiliary strip-like regions VAbare alternately arranged at even intervals in the direction Du. Thelength between a second main strip-like region VAa and a secondauxiliary strip-like region VAb adjacent to each other corresponds tothe second reference length SW2.

The length of each of the first main thin wires 331U is equal to orlarger than the difference between twice the second reference length SW2and the predetermined width WV, and is equal to or smaller than the sumof twice the second reference length SW2 and the predetermined width WV.Two of the electrical coupling parts 33 x are formed in each of thefirst main thin wires 331U. One of the second auxiliary thin wires 332Vis in contact with an end of the first main thin wire 331U, and anotherof the second auxiliary thin wires 332V is in contact with the other endof the first main thin wire 331U. In addition, two of the second mainthin wires 331V are in contact with the middle of the first main thinwire 331U. In other words, two of the second main thin wires 331V andtwo of the second auxiliary thin wires 332V (four of the secondconductive thin wires 33V) are in contact with each of the first mainthin wires 331U.

The length of each of the first auxiliary thin wires 332U is equal to orsmaller than the predetermined width WV. Two of the electrical couplingparts 33 x are formed in each of the first auxiliary thin wires 332U.One of the second main thin wires 331V is in contact with an end of thefirst auxiliary thin wire 332U, and another of the second main thinwires 331V is in contact with the other end of the first auxiliary thinwire 332U. In other words, two of the second main thin wires 331V (twoof the second conductive thin wires 33V) are in contact with each of thefirst auxiliary thin wires 332U.

The length of each of the second main thin wires 331V is equal to orlarger than the difference between the first reference length SW1 andthe predetermined width WU, and is equal to or smaller than the sum ofthe first reference length SW1 and the predetermined width Wu. Two ofthe electrical coupling parts 33 x are produced in each of the secondmain thin wires 331V. One of the first main thin wires 331U is incontact with an end of the second main thin wire 331V, and one of thefirst auxiliary thin wires 332U is in contact with the other end of thesecond main thin wire 331V. In other words, one of the first main thinwires 331U and one of the first auxiliary thin wires 332U (two of thefirst conductive thin wires 33U) are in contact with each of the secondmain thin wires 331V.

The length of each of the second auxiliary thin wires 332V is equal toor smaller than the predetermined width WU. Two of the electricalcoupling parts 33 x are formed in each of the second auxiliary thinwires 332V. One of the first main thin wires 331U is in contact with anend of the second auxiliary thin wire 332V, and another of the firstmain thin wires 331U is in contact with the other end of the secondauxiliary thin wire 332V. In other words, two of the first main thinwires 331U (two of the first conductive thin wires 33U) are in contactwith each of the second auxiliary thin wires 332V.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, two of the electrical coupling parts 33 x areformed in each of some of the intersection regions AX (intersectionregions AX1). No electrical coupling parts 33 x are formed in the otherof the intersection regions AX (intersection regions AX2).

In the third embodiment, the area of each of the polygons formed by thefirst and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V is less likely tovary than in the first embodiment. As a result, the display region 10 acan more easily have a uniform aperture ratio.

Fourth Embodiment

The following describes a detection device according to a fourthembodiment. FIG. 17 is a plan view of the detection electrode accordingto the fourth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 17, in the fourthembodiment, the detection electrode TDL includes the first conductivethin wires 33U, the second conductive thin wires 33V, and thirdconductive thin wires 33Y. The same component as that described in thefirst embodiment above is denoted by the same reference numeral, and thedescription thereof will not be repeated.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the first conductive thin wires 33U arearranged in the first strip-like regions UA respectively having thepredetermined width WU. The first groups GU are formed, each includingat least two of the first conductive thin wires 33U displaced from oneanother in the direction Dv.

The second conductive thin wires 33V are arranged in the secondstrip-like regions VA respectively having the predetermined width WV.The second groups GV are formed, each including at least two of thesecond conductive thin wires 33V displaced from one another in thedirection Du.

The third conductive thin wires 33Y are arranged in third strip-likeregions YA respectively having a predetermined width WY. A plurality ofthird groups GY are formed, each including at least two of the thirdconductive thin wires 33Y displaced from one another in the directionDx. In the fourth embodiment, the predetermined width WY is also denotedas the third width.

A plurality of reference lines 33SY are imaginary lines that arearranged at even intervals in the direction Dx and extend in thedirection Dy. Assuming each of the reference lines 33SY as the center ofthe predetermined width WY, the predetermined width WY is a width withinwhich each of the third conductive thin wires 33Y may be displaced fromthe reference line 33SY. When a third reference length SW3 denotes thelength between two of the reference lines 33SY adjacent in the directionDx, the predetermined width WY is one twentieth to one fifth of thethird reference length SW3. For example, the predetermined width WY is10 μm to 30 μm.

One mesh of the detection electrode TDL has a hexagonal shape. In otherwords, two of the first conductive thin wires 33U, two of the secondconductive thin wires 33V, and two of the third conductive thin wires33Y form a hexagon.

One of the first conductive thin wires 33U, one of the second conductivethin wires 33V, and one of the third conductive thin wires 33Y are incontact with one another in an intersection region AXX where one of thefirst strip-like regions UA, one of the second strip-like regions VA,and one of the third strip-like regions YA intersect one another. Inother words, the third conductive thin wire 33Y is in contact with anelectrical coupling part 33 xx that is an intersection between the firstconductive thin wire 33U and the second conductive thin wire 33V. Theintersection region AXX is a hexagonal region. One such electricalcoupling part 33 xx is formed in some of the intersection regions AXX.The electrical coupling part 33 xx is not formed in the other of theintersection regions AXX.

In this manner, the detection electrodes TDL may include the thirdconductive thin wires 33Y extending in a different direction from thoseof the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V, in additionto the first and second conductive thin wires 33U and 33V.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 18 is a plan view of the detection electrode according to a fifthembodiment. The same component as that described in the first embodimentabove is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the descriptionthereof will not be repeated.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, each of the first strip-like regions UAincludes a first right region UAa and a first left region UAb separatedby the first reference line 33SU. In the fifth embodiment, each of thefirst conductive thin wires 33U is disposed in either of the first rightregion UAa and the first left region UAb. The length γ serving as adisplacement distance of the first conductive thin wire 33U from thefirst reference line 33SU is a value randomly selected from valueswithin a predetermined range excluding zero. In other words, thefrequency of appearance of values selected as the length γ is uniform.For example, the length γ is selected from values in the range of 5 μmto 15 μm.

In each of the first strip-like regions UA, the first conductive thinwires 33U disposed in the first right region UAa and the firstconductive thin wires 33U disposed in the first left region UAb arealternately arranged along the direction Du. In other words, in each ofthe first strip-like regions UA, the first conductive thin wires 33Uadjacent to the first conductive thin wires 33U disposed in the firstright region UAa are disposed in the first left region UAb, and thefirst conductive thin wires 33U adjacent to the first conductive thinwires 33U disposed in the first left region UAb are disposed in thefirst right region UAa. For example, a random number determines thedirection of displacement of the first conductive thin wire 33U from thefirst reference line 33SU. A computer generates the random number. Atthe time of designing the first conductive thin wires 33U included ineach of the first strip-like regions UA, the computer controls therandom number so that positive values and negative values alternatelyappear along the direction Du.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, each of the second strip-like regions VAincludes a second right region VAa and a second left region VAbseparated by the second reference line 33SV. In the fifth embodiment,each of the second conductive thin wires 33V is disposed in either ofthe second right region VAa and the second left region VAb. The length βserving as a displacement distance of the second conductive thin wire33V from the second reference line 33SV is a value randomly selectedfrom values within the predetermined range excluding zero. In otherwords, the frequency of appearance of values selected as the length β isuniform. For example, the length β is selected from values in the rangeof 5 μm to 15 μm.

In each of the second strip-like regions VA, the second conductive thinwires 33V disposed in the second right region VAa and the secondconductive thin wires 33V disposed in the second left region VAb arealternately arranged along the direction Dv. In other words, in each ofthe second strip-like regions VA, the second conductive thin wires 33Vadjacent to the second conductive thin wires 33V disposed in the secondright region VAa are disposed in the second left region VAb, and thesecond conductive thin wires 33V adjacent to the second conductive thinwires 33V disposed in the second left region VAb are disposed in thesecond right region VAa. For example, a random number determines thedirection of displacement of the second conductive thin wire 33V fromthe second reference line 33SV. The computer generates the randomnumber. At the time of designing the second conductive thin wires 33Vincluded in each of the second strip-like regions VA, the computercontrols the random number so that positive values and negative valuesalternately appear along the direction Dv.

The above-described configuration prevents the first and secondconductive thin wires 33U and 33V from crisscrossing each other, asillustrated in FIG. 18. As a result, the difference decreases betweenthe aperture ratio of surrounding areas of the electrical coupling parts33 x and that of the other areas, and hence, visibility is improved.

Sixth Embodiment

FIG. 19 is a plan view of the detection electrodes according to a sixthembodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the detection electrode TDLaccording to the sixth embodiment includes a plurality of detectionblocks TDLB respectively including the first conductive thin wires 33Uand the second conductive thin wires 33V. For example, the detectionblocks TDLB are arranged in a matrix in a plane parallel to thesubstrate 31. Each of the detection blocks TDLB is coupled to theflexible printed circuit board 71 (refer to FIG. 8) through the wiringline 37. The detection device 30 according to the sixth embodimentperforms the touch detection operation using the self-capacitive method,instead of using the mutual-capacitive method.

The following describes the basic principle of the self-capacitive touchdetection with reference to FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagramillustrating an exemplary equivalent circuit for the self-capacitivetouch detection.

As illustrated in FIG. 20, the voltage detector DET is coupled to thedetection electrode E2. The voltage detector DET is a circuit thatincludes an operational amplifier in an imaginary short-circuited state.When the AC rectangular wave Sg having the predetermined frequency (suchas substantially several kilohertz to several hundred kilohertz) isapplied to a non-inverting input unit (positive), the AC rectangularwave Sg having the same potential is applied to the detection electrodeE2.

In the state where the conductor, such as the finger, is neither incontact with nor in proximity to the detection electrode (non-contactstate), a current corresponding to a capacitance Cx1 in the detectionelectrode E2 flows. The voltage detector DET converts a variation in thecurrent corresponding to the AC rectangular wave Sg into a variation(waveform) of voltage. In the state where the conductor, such as thefinger, is in contact with or in proximity to the detection electrode(contact state), a capacitance Cx2 generated by the finger proximate tothe detection electrode E2 is added to the capacitance Cx1 in thedetection electrode E2, and a current corresponding to a capacitance(Cx1+Cx2) increased from the capacitance in the non-contact state flows.The voltage detector DET converts the variation in the currentcorresponding to the AC rectangular wave Sg into a variation (waveform)of voltage. The amplitude of the waveform in the contact state is largerthan that in the non-contact state. As a result, the absolute value of avoltage difference between the waveform in the contact state and thewaveform in the non-contact state changes according to the influence ofthe conductor, such as the finger, coming into contact or approachingthe detection electrode from the outside. A switch SW is placed in theON (open) state when the touch detection is performed, and is placed inthe OFF (closed) state to perform a reset operation of the voltagedetector DET when the touch detection is not performed.

Other operational advantages accruing from the aspects described in theembodiments given above that are obvious from the description in thisspecification, or that are appropriately conceivable by those skilled inthe art will naturally be understood as accruing from the presentinvention.

The present invention can be widely applied to a detection device and adisplay device according to the following aspects.

(1) A detection device comprising:

a substrate;

a plurality of first conductive thin wires that are provided in a planeparallel to the substrate and extend in a first direction;

a plurality of second conductive thin wires that are provided in thesame layer as that of the first conductive thin wires and extend in asecond direction forming an angle with the first direction;

first groups that are disposed in first strip-like regions respectivelyhaving a first width, each of the first groups including at least two ofthe first conductive thin wires displaced from one another in the seconddirection; and

second groups that are disposed in second strip-like regionsrespectively having a second width, each of the second groups includingat least two of the second conductive thin wires displaced from oneanother in the first direction, wherein

the first conductive thin wires are in contact with the secondconductive thin wires in intersection regions between the firststrip-like regions and the second strip-like regions.

(2) The detection device according to (1), wherein each of theintersection regions between the first strip-like regions and the secondstrip-like regions includes two coupling parts where the firstconductive thin wires are in contact with the second conductive thinwires.

(3) The detection device according to (1) or (2) further comprising aplurality of coupling parts where the first conductive thin wires are incontact with the second conductive thin wires, and one of the firstconductive thin wires or one of the second conductive thin wires locatedbetween two of the coupling parts has a slit.

(4) The detection device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein onemesh surrounded by the first conductive thin wires and the secondconductive thin wires has a parallelogram shape.

(5) The detection device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein

when a first reference line denotes a straight line that bisects each ofthe first strip-like regions in a width direction thereof, and a secondreference line denotes a straight line that bisects each of the secondstrip-like regions in a width direction thereof,

a length of each of the first conductive thin wires is equal to orlarger than a difference between twice a length between the adjacentsecond reference lines and the second width of the second strip-likeregion, and is equal to or smaller than a sum of twice the lengthbetween the adjacent second reference lines and the second width of thesecond strip-like region, and

a length of each of the second conductive thin wires is equal to orlarger than a difference between twice a length between the adjacentfirst reference lines and the first width of the first strip-likeregion, and is equal to or smaller than a sum of twice the lengthbetween the adjacent first reference lines and the first width of thefirst strip-like region.

(6) The detection device according to (1), wherein

the first conductive thin wires include first main thin wires disposedin a first main strip-like region having the first width and firstauxiliary thin wires disposed in a first auxiliary strip-like regionhaving the first width,

the second conductive thin wires include second main thin wires disposedin a second main strip-like region having the second width and secondauxiliary thin wires disposed in a second auxiliary strip-like regionhaving the second width,

each of the first main thin wires is in contact with two of the secondmain thin wires and two of the second auxiliary thin wires,

each of the first auxiliary thin wires is in contact with two of thesecond main thin wires,

each of the second main thin wires is in contact with one of the firstmain thin wires and one of the first auxiliary thin wires, and

each of the second auxiliary thin wires is in contact with two of thefirst main thin wires.

(7) The detection device according to (1), further comprising:

a plurality of third conductive thin wires that are provided in the samelayer as that of the first conductive thin wires and extend in a thirddirection forming angles with the first direction and the seconddirection; and

third groups that are disposed in third strip-like regions respectivelyhaving a third width, each of the third groups including at least two ofthe third conductive thin wires displaced from one another in adirection orthogonal to the third direction, wherein

the first conductive thin wires, the second conductive thin wires, andthe third conductive thin wires are in contact with one another inintersection regions among the first strip-like regions, the secondstrip-like regions, and the third strip-like regions.

(8) The detection device according to (1), wherein

each of the first strip-like regions includes a first right region and afirst left region separated by a first reference line, wherein the firstreference line bisects the first strip-like region in the seconddirection,

in each of the first strip-like regions, the first conductive thin wiresdisposed in the first right region and the first conductive thin wiresdisposed in the first left region are alternately arranged along thefirst direction,

each of the second strip-like regions includes a second right region anda second left region separated by a second reference line, wherein thesecond reference line bisects the second strip-like region in the firstdirection, and

in each of the second strip-like regions, the second conductive thinwires disposed in the second right region and the second conductive thinwires disposed in the second left region are alternately arranged alongthe second direction.

(9) A display device comprising;

a detection device; and

a display region, wherein

the detection device comprises:

a substrate;

a plurality of first conductive thin wires that are provided in a planeparallel to the substrate and extend in a first direction;

a plurality of second conductive thin wires that are provided in thesame layer as that of the first conductive thin wires and extend in asecond direction forming an angle with the first direction;

first groups that are disposed in first strip-like regions respectivelyhaving a first width, each of the first groups including at least two ofthe first conductive thin wires displaced from one another in the seconddirection; and

second groups that are disposed in second strip-like regionsrespectively having a second width, each of the second groups includingat least two of the second conductive thin wires displaced from oneanother in the first direction, wherein

the first conductive thin wires are in contact with the secondconductive thin wires in intersection regions between the firststrip-like regions and the second strip-like regions, and the firstconductive thin wires and the second conductive thin wire are providedin an area overlapping the display region.

(10) The display device according to (9), wherein each of theintersection regions between the first strip-like regions and the secondstrip-like regions includes two coupling parts where the firstconductive thin wires are in contact with the second conductive thinwires.

(11) The display device according to (9) or (10), further comprising aplurality of coupling parts where the first conductive thin wires are incontact with the second conductive thin wires, and one of the firstconductive thin wires or one of the second conductive thin wires locatedbetween two of the coupling parts has a slit.

(12) The display device according to any one of (9) to (11), wherein onemesh surrounded by the first conductive thin wires and the secondconductive thin wires has a parallelogram shape.

(13) The display device according to any one of (9) to (12), wherein

when a first reference line denotes a straight line that bisects each ofthe first strip-like regions in a width direction thereof, and a secondreference line denotes a straight line that bisects each of the secondstrip-like regions in a width direction thereof,

a length of each of the first conductive thin wires is equal to orlarger than a difference between twice a length between the adjacentsecond reference lines and the second width of the second strip-likeregion, and is equal to or smaller than a sum of twice the lengthbetween the adjacent second reference lines and the second width of thesecond strip-like region, and

a length of each of the second conductive thin wires is equal to orlarger than a difference between twice a length between the adjacentfirst reference lines and the first width of the first strip-likeregion, and is equal to or smaller than a sum of twice the lengthbetween the adjacent first reference lines and the first width of thefirst strip-like region.

(14) The display device according to (9), wherein

the first conductive thin wires include first main thin wires disposedin a first main strip-like region having the first width and firstauxiliary thin wires disposed in a first auxiliary strip-like regionhaving the first width,

the second conductive thin wires include second main thin wires disposedin a second main strip-like region having the second width and secondauxiliary thin wires disposed in a second auxiliary strip-like regionhaving the second width,

each of the first main thin wires is in contact with two of the secondmain thin wires and two of the second auxiliary thin wires,

each of the first auxiliary thin wires is in contact with two of thesecond main thin wires,

each of the second main thin wires is in contact with one of the firstmain thin wires and one of the first auxiliary thin wires, and

each of the second auxiliary thin wires is in contact with two of thefirst main thin wires.

(15) The display device according to (9), further comprising:

a plurality of third conductive thin wires that are provided in the samelayer as that of the first conductive thin wires and extend in a thirddirection forming angles with the first direction and the seconddirection; and

third groups that are disposed in third strip-like regions respectivelyhaving a third width, each of the third groups including at least two ofthe third conductive thin wires displaced from one another in adirection orthogonal to the third direction, wherein

the first conductive thin wires, the second conductive thin wires, andthe third conductive thin wires are in contact with one another inintersection regions among the first strip-like regions, the secondstrip-like regions, and the third strip-like regions.

(16) The display device according to (9), wherein

each of the first strip-like regions includes a first right region and afirst left region separated by a first reference line, wherein the firstreference line bisects the first strip-like region in the seconddirection,

in each of the first strip-like regions, the first conductive thin wiresdisposed in the first right region and the first conductive thin wiresdisposed in the first left region are alternately arranged along thefirst direction,

each of the second strip-like regions includes a second right region anda second left region separated by a second reference line, wherein thesecond reference line bisects the second strip-like region in the firstdirection, and

in each of the second strip-like regions, the second conductive thinwires disposed in the second right region and the second conductive thinwires disposed in the second left region are alternately arranged alongthe second direction.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present subjectmatter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is thereforeintended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detection device comprising: electrodesconfigured to detect a touch and including a plurality of firstconductive thin wires and a plurality of second conductive thin wires,wherein the first conductive thin wires extend in a first direction, andinclude a first wire and a second wire which is adjacent to the firstwire, the second conductive thin wires extend in a second directionintersecting the first direction, and include a third wire whichintersects the first wire and the second wire, the first wire has afirst slit, the second wire has a second slit, the third wire has athird slit between the first wire and the second wire, and the firstslit, the second slit, and the third slit are arranged in a thirddirection which is different from the first direction and the seconddirection.
 2. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein thesecond conductive thin wires include a fourth wire which is adjacent tothe third wire and intersects the first wire and the second wire, andthe fourth wire does not have a slit between the first wire and thesecond wire.
 3. The detection device according to claim 2, wherein thefirst to fourth wires form a quadrangle, and the third direction is adiagonal direction of the quadrangle.
 4. The detection device accordingto claim 1, wherein the second slit is located at an opposite side ofthe third wire from the first slit.
 5. The detection device according toclaim 1, wherein the third slit is between the first slit and the secondslit.
 6. The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the firstwire intersects the third wire at a first intersecting portion, thesecond wire intersects the third wire at a second intersecting portion,and the first intersecting portion is located at an opposite side of animaginary line from the second intersecting portion, the imaginary lineconnecting the first slit and the second slit.
 7. A detection devicecomprising: detection electrodes including a first wire with a firstslit, a second wire with a second slit, and a third wire with a thirdslit, wherein the first wire and the second wire are adjacent to eachother and extend in a first direction, the third wirer intersects thefirst wire and the second wire, and extend in a second directionintersecting the first direction, the third slit is between the firstwire and the second wire, and the first slit, the second slit, and thethird slit are arranged in a third direction which is different from thefirst direction and the second direction.
 8. The detection deviceaccording to claim 7, further comprising a fourth wire extending in thesecond direction, wherein the fourth wire is adjacent to the third wire,intersects the first wire and the second wire, and does not have a slitbetween the first wire and the second wire.
 9. The detection deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the first to fourth wires form aquadrangle, and the third direction is a diagonal direction of thequadrangle.
 10. The detection device according to claim 7, wherein thesecond slit is located at an opposite side of the third wire from thefirst slit.
 11. The detection device according to claim 7, wherein thethird slit is between the first slit and the second slit.
 12. Thedetection device according to claim 7, wherein the first wire intersectsthe third wire at a first intersecting portion, the second wireintersects the third wire at a second intersecting portion, and thefirst intersecting portion is located at an opposite side of animaginary line from the second intersecting portion, the imaginary lineconnecting the first slit and the second slit.
 13. A display devicecomprising: a display region including pixels; and electrodes configuredto detect a touch and overlapping the pixels, wherein the electrodesinclude a plurality of first conductive thin wires and a plurality ofsecond conductive thin wires, the first conductive thin wires extend ina first direction, and include a first wire and a second wire which isadjacent to the first wire, the second conductive thin wires extend in asecond direction intersecting the first direction, and include a thirdwire which intersects the first wire and the second wire, the first wirehas a first slit, the second wire has a second slit, the third wire hasa third slit between the first wire and the second wire, and the firstslit, the second slit, and the third slit are arranged in a thirddirection which is different from the first direction and the seconddirection.
 14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein thesecond conductive thin wires include a fourth wire which is adjacent tothe third wire and intersects the first wire and the second wire, andthe fourth wire does not have a slit between the first wire and thesecond wire.
 15. The display device according to claim 14, wherein thefirst to fourth wires form a quadrangle, and the third direction is adiagonal direction of the quadrangle.
 16. The display device accordingto claim 13, wherein the second slit is located at an opposite side ofthe third wire from the first slit.
 17. The display device according toclaim 13, wherein the third slit is between the first slit and thesecond slit.
 18. The display device according to claim 13, wherein thefirst wire intersects the third wire at a first intersecting portion,the second wire intersects the third wire at a second intersectingportion, and the first intersecting portion is located at an oppositeside of an imaginary line from the second intersecting portion, theimaginary line connecting the first slit and the second slit.